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Apple patent reveals unused iPad design with two USB slots

In his last appearance during an earnings conference call last year, Steve Jobs hinted that Apple tested several designs for the iPad during its development stage. One of these possible designs may have reared its ugly head in a patent application recently approved by the USPTO.

This patent details a Wi-Fi+3G iPad with an extra USB slot for landscape connectivity. This auxiliary USB slot would let you place the iPad in a dedicated landscape dock as well as dock in portrait mode and simultaneously sync using both USB slots. Apple now holds a patent for this design, but it may never debut in an upcoming iPad model. While many consumers would prefer two USB ports, Apple may opt for wireless charging and syncing, which would eliminate the need for any USB ports on the popular tablet device.